Simmons falls in World Trials finals
5/31 - The World Trials wrapped up tonight in Council
Bluffs and there will not be any Michiganders making
the trip to Denmark this fall.
Former Michigan State All-American Nick Simmons fell
in the final best-of-three series to veteran Danny Felix.
Simmons lost the first bout on a last second pushout,
then came back with a 1-1, 2-0 win over Felix to force a
third and deciding match. In the final bout Felix scored
a 2-1, 1-0 win to claim the 55kg spot on the World
Team.
Former Michigan All-American Josh Churella battled
back after losing in the quarterfinals earlier today to
force a true-third match against NCAA Champ Darrion
Caldwell tonight. After blanking former World Team
member Doug Schwab 4-0, 1-0, Churella lost to
in the true third match.
After advancing to the Challenge Tournament semifinals,
CC Weber, Brent Metcalf, and Jarod Trice were all
eliminated from the tournament after losing consecutive
bouts.
In the end three Michigan grapplers made the US National Team as alternates. Simmons and Andy Hrovat are the 1st alternates at 55kg and 96kg and Ryan Churella is the 2nd alternate at 74kg.
Click here for full brackets from the Trials.
Michiganders who made the World Team
55kg - Nick Simmons (1st alternate)
74kg - Ryan Churella (2nd alternate)
96kg - Andy Hrovat (1st alternate)
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